Sponsored Links

4GEE and landline connections

Wildcat

Member
Hi there, new to the forum, seeking some help.
I have a 4G router (Huawei 535 - replaced the EE 4gee home router) and also a backup landline broadband connection provided by John Lewis (Plusnet) router (Zyxel).
I wondered if there was a way to connect both routers together so that when one connection drops, the other will carry on and I don't have to go around pointing all devices to the other router. Is this possible?
By the way, the 4G EE connection is out preferred one as we get decent download speeds (40MBPS) whereas the landline is only used as a back up as it is less than 1MBPS.
 
There are 4G Routers such as the Netgear LB2120 that have options for LAN sensing and kick in on failure. But you already have your router now and you want the 4G to be main feed.

The option therefore is to use a router with WAN load balancing. Second hand options such as Draytek or new such as Ubiquiti EdgeRouter X or the TP-Link TL-R480T.

The issue is whether the H535 (depends on firmware/source) and the Zyxel can be placed into bridge mode to avoid other issues.

You could replace the Zyxel with a Draytek that has both DSL and WAN load balancing to save complexity.


 
There are 4G Routers such as the Netgear LB2120 that have options for LAN sensing and kick in on failure. But you already have your router now and you want the 4G to be main feed.

The option therefore is to use a router with WAN load balancing. Second hand options such as Draytek or new such as Ubiquiti EdgeRouter X or the TP-Link TL-R480T.

The issue is whether the H535 (depends on firmware/source) and the Zyxel can be placed into bridge mode to avoid other issues.


Hi Meatball, thanks for your reply. I must confess to not being a tech wizard. The H B535-235 does have a bridge mode. The Zyxel is a model VMG3925-B10C but not sure if this has bridging (sorry).

Edit - yes, apparently the Zyxel can be put into bridge mode - https://support.zyxel.eu/hc/en-us/articles/360001482220-Setting-the-VMG-as-Modem-Bridge-Mode-
 
Sponsored Links
Ok then load balancing and using the rules to prioritise the 4G appears the way ahead. The amount of control by rules varies by device.

Others on the forum may be able to feedback on load balancing experience. Draytek has always been a favourite but they are expensive and second hand units can hold their price.

I personally favour the Edgerouter X simply due to its compactness, good to around 400Mbps, current pricing and the fact you can start with the basic wizard progressing to command line if your interest takes you there. No WIFI though so needs AP/Mesh.
 
I use a Draytek 2925, £40 off ebay if you are patient. Over the years its line balanced ADSL and Wifi, ADSL and 4G and now 4G and 4G. It will even triple load balance using the 2.4 WiFi to connect to a hotspot on a mobile. You can either bridge the primary routers or the Draytek also has its own bridge setting per Wan.
 
Many thanks Meatball and kommando828, i hadn't planned on buying any more kit tbh. I was hoping to connect the 2 routers, switch wifi off one of them so all devices in the home just connect to the one router, which will use the landline router as a backup connection if/when the 4g network goes down (happened yesterday for about 6 hours), so i don't have to go through all devices getting them to point to the landline wifi instead - sorry if what i'm saying sounds rather basic, but as i mentioned, i am not technical by any means :(
 
Sponsored Links
Hello @Wildcat ,

The Huawei b535 you have can act as broadband router with fallback on 4G.
This is how I am using myself with good results.
So you could put the Zyxel in bridge mode and when that fails (not sure how it checks) it switches to 4G.. in my case, my "Zyxel" is a 5G router.
However I think you want the 4G to be primary, I am not sure this is doable in your situation without buying extra kit.
 
Once you configure it in Ethernet settings for the port to act as WAN with a Dynamic IP etc it will prefer this connection to the 4G.
 
Top
Cheap BIG ISPs for 100Mbps+
Community Fibre UK ISP Logo
150Mbps
Gift: None
Virgin Media UK ISP Logo
Virgin Media £22.99
132Mbps
Gift: None
Vodafone UK ISP Logo
Vodafone £24.00 - 26.00
150Mbps
Gift: None
NOW UK ISP Logo
NOW £24.00
100Mbps
Gift: None
Plusnet UK ISP Logo
Plusnet £25.99
145Mbps
Gift: £50 Reward Card
Large Availability | View All
Cheapest ISPs for 100Mbps+
Gigaclear UK ISP Logo
Gigaclear £17.00
200Mbps
Gift: None
Community Fibre UK ISP Logo
150Mbps
Gift: None
Virgin Media UK ISP Logo
Virgin Media £22.99
132Mbps
Gift: None
Hey! Broadband UK ISP Logo
150Mbps
Gift: None
Youfibre UK ISP Logo
Youfibre £23.99
150Mbps
Gift: None
Large Availability | View All
Sponsored Links
The Top 15 Category Tags
  1. FTTP (6028)
  2. BT (3639)
  3. Politics (2721)
  4. Business (2440)
  5. Openreach (2405)
  6. Building Digital UK (2330)
  7. Mobile Broadband (2146)
  8. FTTC (2083)
  9. Statistics (1902)
  10. 4G (1816)
  11. Virgin Media (1764)
  12. Ofcom Regulation (1582)
  13. Fibre Optic (1467)
  14. Wireless Internet (1462)
  15. 5G (1407)
Sponsored

Copyright © 1999 to Present - ISPreview.co.uk - All Rights Reserved - Terms  ,  Privacy and Cookie Policy  ,  Links  ,  Website Rules